I partly struggled out of this position, partly found myself dragged out, and then, in a half-stunned, confused fashion, I yielded, as I was dragged through the dark forest, the twigs and boughs lashing my face horribly.
I had kept tight hold of my gun, and with the feeling strong upon me that if I wished to avoid a second captivity I must free myself, I waited for an opportunity to turn upon the strong savage who held me so tightly in his grasp and dragged me through the bush in so pitiless a manner.
He had me with his left hand riveted in my clothes while with his right hand, I presumed with a war-club, he dashed the bushes aside when the obstacles were very great.
My heart beat fast as I felt that if I were to escape I must fire at this fierce enemy, and so horrible did the act seem that twice over, after laying my hand upon my pistol, I withdrew it, telling myself that I had better wait for a few minutes longer.
And so I waited, feeling that, after all, my captivity would not be so bad as it was before, seeing that now I should know my father was near at hand.
“I can’t shoot now,” I said to myself passionately; “I don’t think I’m a coward, but I cannot fire at the poor wretch, and I must accept my fate.”
My arm dropped to my side, and at that moment my captor stopped short.
“No hear um come ’long now,” he said.
“Jimmy!” I cried; and for a moment the air seemed full of humming, singing noises, and if I had not clung to my companion I should have fallen.